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Fox News host and former Army National Guard officer Pete Hegseth has come down hard on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for what he sees as a misguided obsession with climate change. Speaking during a segment of Fox & Friends Weekend, Hegseth criticised the Pentagon’s climate agenda, accusing it of abandoning core defence priorities in favour of “climate change crap.” His comments have reignited a more extensive debate about the role of environmental policy in national security and whether the military’s current focus aligns with the real-world threats America faces today.
“We Do Warfighting, Not Climate Change”
During a recent segment on Fox & Friends Weekend, Hegseth declared, “The @DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap. We do training and warfighting” ¹. His comments were in response to reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), working with the Pentagon, plans to cancel over 90 studies, including many addressing climate change impacts on defense operations.
Echoing the sentiment, Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell noted that these cuts are part of a broader effort to eliminate programs unrelated to the military’s warfighting capability. “Warfighting is our North Star,” Parnell said. “Everything that does not contribute to that mission is on the table.”
DoD Cancels Over 90 Programs, Redirects Funds to Combat Readiness and Training
According to internal reports cited by Reuters, the Pentagon’s decision to cancel more than 90 programs—many of which focused on climate resilience, energy efficiency, and emissions monitoring—could save the department over $30 million annually. The cuts come as part of a strategic review initiated by Hegseth and DOGE to streamline operations and emphasise combat preparedness.
Also reportedly on the chopping block are some Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which Hegseth and his allies argue represent a drift toward progressive policy goals at the expense of operational efficiency. These critics point to growing concerns that military resources diverge from core warfighting priorities to accommodate social policy agendas. Reports have highlighted funding for DEI training within the armed forces, including $91,000 spent on diversity seminars for the Air Force Band, which opponents claim reflects misplaced focus within the Department of Defense’s operational planning.
Critics Warn Cutting Climate Programs Could Undermine Long-Term Military Resilience
While Hegseth’s approach has drawn praise from certain political circles, climate security experts and former Pentagon officials warn that the move could undermine long-term military resilience. Past DoD climate assessments have identified climate-related risks—such as rising sea levels threatening naval bases, extreme weather affecting training operations, and resource scarcity fueling global instability—serious threats to operational readiness.
Former defense officials argue that addressing climate-related risks is a practical concern of national interests rather than a partisan issue. They emphasise that climate change threatens military infrastructure, supply chains, and operational missions. A 2018 Pentagon report revealed that nearly half of all U.S. military sites were threatened by weather events linked to climate change, underscoring the importance of integrating climate considerations into defense planning.
Hegseth’s Approach Reflects Broader Pushback Against Progressive Influence in the Military
Hegseth’s remarks are part of a broader ideological push against what he and others view as progressive overreach in defense policy. His criticism extends beyond climate to gender policies, DEI training, and administrative overhead that he believes weakens combat culture. “We’ve allowed the Pentagon to be reshaped by bureaucrats and activists,” he said on Fox News. “We need to return to basics—lethality, strength, deterrence.”
This position resonates with a faction of conservative policymakers who have long called for a rollback of social engineering initiatives within the armed forces. In their view, focusing on kinetic capabilities and real-world threats like China, Russia, and Iran should be the priority—not emissions metrics or sustainability audits.
References:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/secretary-hegseth-says-dod-does-not-do-climate-change-crap
https://nypost.com/2025/03/10/us-news/secretary-hegseth-says-the-dod-does-not-do-climate-change-crap
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dod-spends-91000-diversity-seminars-air-force-band
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